A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that results after the brain is jarred hard enough to bounce against the skull. However, you don’t have to be hit in the head to suffer from a concussion. It’s actually possible to sustain impact elsewhere in the body that is hard enough to jar the brain. You also may not lose consciousness with a concussion. Concussions can range from mild to severe and the effects may be apparent immediately, or they may not show up until hours or even days later.

Did you know that multiple concussions could have a long-lasting, cumulative life-changing effect that can greatly affect the quality of your life?

This is why it’s important to seek out the right care for your brain after sustaining a concussion. Traditional practitioners are trained to monitor your concussion symptoms and they will typically clear you for normal activity once those symptoms have subsided. However, did you know that even after symptoms seem to dissipate, the brain might still not be 100%? This is dangerous, especially for athletes who may return to their sport too early and are then more likely to suffer from another head injury.

Many patients are finding success in managing their head injury by working with a functional neurologist. Not only are these practitioners highly trained in how the brain functions, they also do an evaluation of all of your body systems in order to get the complete picture of your health and determine where imbalances are occurring. They understand that any body system that is failing will affect all the others, especially when it comes to the brain.

When you work with a functional neurologist you can expect to receive a thorough physical examination as well as neurological evaluation. Once they’ve gathered all of the necessary information, they will recommend therapies that are customized to your individual needs. These therapies and lifestyle changes are designed to rehabilitate your brain so that it’s able to function normally again.

It’s important to understand that healing the brain is not a quick process. It takes time to fully recover from a concussion or head injury and rushing the process may only make your situation worse. Taking the time to find the proper care now could make the difference in your health for a lifetime.